The Cramps were an American garage punk band formed in Sacramento, Californ… Read Full Bio ↴The Cramps were an American garage punk band formed in Sacramento, California in 1976. The band was influential in founding of a hybrid subgenre later known as "psychobilly," which is a fusion of punk and rockabilly. Their music is mostly in blues form, played at varying, (though usually fast) tempos, with a very minimal drumkit. An integral part of the early Cramps sound is dual guitars, without a bassist. The content of their songs and image is sleaze, trashy Americana (much in the style of filmmaker John Waters), sexual fetishism, clever bad jokes, and cheap, horror B-movie clichés.

Their line-up has rotated much over the past couple of decades, with husband and wife Lux Interior and Poison Ivy--the lead singer and lead guitarist, respectively--as the only permanent members.
Lux picked up Ivy when he was driving on the highway. Ivy had raised her hand for an auto stop, Lux stopped his car and ...fate brought them together.

They were part of the early CBGB's punk rock movement that had emerged in New York, although they had formed several years earlier in California. The band is credited as a prominent factor in terms of influence on the gothabilly genre.

Their sound was heavily influenced by early rockabilly and proto-rock'n'roll like Link Wray and Hasil Adkins, 1960s surf music acts such as The Ventures, The Surfaris and Dick Dale, 1960s garage rock artists like The Standells, The Gants, The Trashmen, The Green Fuz and The Sonics, as well as the post-glam/early punk scene from which they emerged. They also were influenced to a degree by The Ramones as well as Screamin' Jay Hawkins, who is often credited for having pioneered their style of theatrical horror-blues.

On February 4, 2009, Lux Interior died of a pre-existing heart condition at the age of 62.

Discography:

Albums & EPs:
Gravest Hits
Songs The Lord Taught Us
Psychedelic Jungle
A Date with Elvis
Stay Sick!
Look Mom No Head!
Blues Fix
Flamejob
Big Beat from Badsville
Fiends of Dope Island
Live albums:
Smell of Female
Rockin n Reelin in Auckland New Zealand
Singles:
"Surfin' Bird" / "The Way I Walk" "Human Fly" / "Domino" "Fever" / "Garbageman" "Garbageman" / "TV Set" "Garbageman" / "Drug Train" "Drug Train" "Goo Goo Muck" "The Crusher" "Faster Pussycat" "I Ain't Nuthin' But a Gorehound" "Can Your Pussy Do the Dog?" "What's Inside a Girl?" "Kizmiaz" "Get Off the Road" "Bikini Girls with Machine Guns" "All Women Are Bad" "Creature from the Black Leather Lagoon" "Eyeball in My Martini" "Let's Get Fucked Up" / "How Come You Do Me?" "Ultra Twist!" "Naked Girl Falling Down the Stairs" "Like a Bad Girl Should" "Big Black Witchcraft Rock"
Compilations
...Off the Bone Bad Music for Bad People How to Make a Monster The Secret Life of the Cramps

Blue Moon Baby
The Cramps Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Way down in Mexico
There's a crazy little chick that I know
In the honky tonk on the outskirts of town
Where the music is hot and the lights turn down

Blue moon baby, yeah
Blue moon baby

Well, she's sitting in the dark corner
With the skip that's wrap around real tight
She looks into your eyes and you realize
That you don't feel well and that wrong is right

Blue moon baby, yeah
Blue moon baby

Won't you buy me a drink of tequila?
Won't you buy me a glass of wine?
Well, I can sit with you for an hour or two
Would you like a little piece of my time?

Blue moon baby, yeah
Blue moon baby

Alright, play the blues for me

Well, blue moon girl will make you wear a purple heart
Blue moon girl will tear your heart apart
Blue moon girl, take your money as you can
Turn around and find another man

Blue moon baby, yeah
Blue moon baby

Overall Meaning

The Cramps's song Blue Moon Baby is a rockabilly track about a woman in a rundown bar in Mexico. The singer describes her as crazy and sensual, sitting in a dark corner with tight clothes that make you feel uncomfortable. The music is hot, and the lights are turned down low, creating an atmosphere of sensuality and danger. The girl is named Blue Moon Baby, and she seems to have a magnetic pull on the singer as he describes wanting to spend time with her, and for her to buy him a drink.

Blue moon is a term used to describe the second full moon to occur in a single calendar month. The singer's use of this term could be a reference to the unpredictability and rarity of the woman's appearance or the way she makes him feel. The song's sultry blues guitar riff reinforces the seductive and dangerous tone of the lyrics.

The song's chorus emphasizes the woman's rebellious spirit and the way she has a hold on men's hearts. The final verse speaks of how the woman will tear your heart apart, take your money, and move onto the next man. In many ways, Blue Moon Baby can be seen as a tribute to the femmes fatale of film noir and rockabilly culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Way down in Mexico
The singer is referring to a specific location, Mexico, which is a significant place in the story.

There's a crazy little chick that I know
The singer knows of a woman who is known for being wild and unpredictable.

In the honky tonk on the outskirts of town
The woman can be found in a specific type of bar on the edge of the city.

Where the music is hot and the lights turn down
The bar has an atmosphere of passion due to the lively music and dim lighting.

Blue moon baby, yeah
The title of the song is repeated, emphasizing the significance of this woman to the artist.

Well, she's sitting in the dark corner
The woman is sitting in the shadows, making her mysterious and alluring.

With the skip that's wrap around real tight
The woman is wearing tight-fitting clothing, which adds to her sexuality.

She looks into your eyes and you realize
The woman makes eye contact with the artist, which causes them to become aware of her power over them.

That you don't feel well and that wrong is right
The artist is acknowledging the all-consuming nature of their attraction to this woman, which is making them question their morals.

Won't you buy me a drink of tequila?
The woman is asking the artist to buy her a specific type of alcohol, which could be a metaphor for their exchange of affections.

Won't you buy me a glass of wine?
The woman adds a second request for another type of alcohol to increase the level of intimacy between herself and the singer.

Well, I can sit with you for an hour or two
The woman is offering to spend time with the artist, which is a signal of her interest and willingness to continue their connection.

Would you like a little piece of my time?
The woman is giving the singer an opportunity to express their desire for a relationship with her.

Alright, play the blues for me
The singer requests a specific type of music, which could reflect their mood or mindset regarding the woman.

Well, blue moon girl will make you wear a purple heart
The woman is capable of causing intense emotional pain, which is metaphorically represented by a purple heart.

Blue moon girl will tear your heart apart
The woman has the power to shatter the artist's heart into pieces.

Blue moon girl, take your money as you can
The woman is willing to use the artist for their resources and financial gain.

Turn around and find another man
The woman is not committed to the singer and is willing to move on to another partner when it suits her needs.

Blue moon baby, yeah
The song ends as it began with a repeating refrain, emphasizing the importance of this woman to the singer.

Contributed by Adrian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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